Hermès Foundation to Sponsor International Photography Prize

The philanthropic arm of Hermès International announced it will support the next three editions of the Prix Henri Cartier-Bresson.

FREEZE-FRAME: Tightening its bonds with the photographic world, Hermès International’s philanthropic arm has announced it will support the next three editions of the influential biennial Prix Henri Cartier-Bresson international photography prize, in 2013, 2015 and 2017.

The prize grants a photographer 35,000 euros, or $46,627 at current exchange, to realize a project that they could not have undertaken without its support. It also involves an exhibition at Paris’ Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson, as well as the publication of a catalog.

Along with donating a total of 150,000 euros, or $199,832, to support the initiative, the Fondation d’Entreprise Hermès will give the winning artist the opportunity to exhibit in its own photography spaces around the world, notably its galleries in Berne, Switzerland, and New York. Hermès artistic director Pierre-Alexis Dumas, who is also president of the foundation, will be one of seven jury members for the prize.

The late Jean-Louis Dumas, chief executive officer of Hermès International from 1978 to 2006, was a keen amateur photographer. An exhibition dedicated to him was staged at Paris’ Maison Européenne de la Photographie in 2008.